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West L.A.
Foreign, indie, documentaries, classics, recent releases, Oscar short-film screenings—there’s not much the Nuart doesn’t show. Midnight showings, like the long-running Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live "shadow cast" on Saturday nights, continue to bring in locals. Q&A sessions with directors and actors also happen here frequently.
11272 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90025, USA
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West L.A. | Theater
Odyssey Theatre presents largely traditional dramas in an intimate space, typically with astute direction and powerful acting. They also produce contemporary, experimental plays (or thoughtful explorations of the classics) throughout the season.
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90025, USA
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Downtown
Opened in 1926, the opulent Orpheum Theatre played host to live attractions including classic comedians, burlesque dancers, jazz greats like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington, and later on rock-and-roll performers such as Little Richard. After extensive restorations, the Orpheum once again revealed a stunning white-marble lobby, majestic auditorium with fleur-de-lis panels, and two dazzling chandeliers. A thick red velvet and gold-trimmed curtain opens at showtime, and a white Wurlitzer pipe organ (one of the last remaining organs of its kind from the silent movie era) is at the ready. The original 1926 rooftop neon sign again shines brightly, signaling a new era for this theater. Today the theater plays host to live concerts, comedy shows, and movie screenings.
842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California, 90014, USA
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Hollywood | Theater
For the grand-scale theatrics of a Broadway show, such as Hamilton and The Book of Mormon, the 2,703-seat Pantages Theatre (the last theater built by Greek American vaudeville producer Alexander Pantages) lights up Hollywood Boulevard on show nights, when lines of excited patrons extend down the block.
6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
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Tickets
High-demand tickets for sporting events, concerts, and theater are usually found on this site; sometimes at a discount, but generally not.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Hollywood
The Ricardo Montalban Theatre is more than just a live performance and outdoor movie screening space. While it is famous for its comedy shows, small film festivals, and rooftop movie screenings, collaborating with well-known chefs for its food service as well as artists to create art and commerce together, its biggest goals are to support performing arts and create employment in Hollywood. So, beyond having that quintessentially L.A. experience of watching movies outdoors, you're also supporting a local business that in turn supports the local community. For a true local experience in Hollywood, this is the spot to go and check out a show.
1615 Vine St., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
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Hollywood | Theater
Plays, musicals, and concerts all happen at this midsize theater, mostly focusing on Latin culture. When the weather warms up, they host the Rooftop Cinema Club, where you can watch a flick on the roof (they give out blankets on cold nights), indulge at the snack bar, and take in views of Hollywood.
1615 N. Vine St., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
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Theater
This historic art deco theater in Beverly Hills plays host to rock and soul artists and legends, as well as comedy shows.
8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, 90211, USA
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Housing three theaters and boasting the same artistic direction for 50 years, this venue brings a number of original plays, touring companies, poetry readings, spoken-word events, and revival shows to the stage. The Family Theatre Musical Matinee Series features family-friendly reworked classic plays. Educational programs and workshops are available for all ages.
1211 4th St., Santa Monica, California, 90401, USA
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Downtown
Since opening in 1926, the auditorium has hosted nearly every major awards show at one point or another, including the Emmys and the GRAMMYs. Today, the venue and adjacent Expo Hall hosts concerts, film premieres, award shows, pageants, and special events. The Shrine's Moorish Revival–style architecture is a spectacle all its own.
665 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90007, USA
View Tours and Activities
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Downtown | Concerts
The epicenter for Los Angeles sports fans—the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, and Kings all play here—Staples Center also plays host to big-name concerts. Headliners of all genres pass through here, from Beyoncé, to the Rolling Stones, to Taylor Swift.
1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90015, USA
View Tours and Activities
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Tickets
A reliable, often discounted, online source for discounted tickets. You can sell tickets here too.
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Theater
Socially conscious, unconventional, and politically themed shows are the focus here. Helmed by artistic director Tim Robbins (who was also one of its founders in 1981), the Actors' Gang also has educational and outreach programs to benefit local students and the community. Their Prison Project initiative, for example, conducts acting workshops at California state prisons. Famous actors are also known to make cameos at the theater. In summer, the Actors’ Gang offers adaptations of Shakespeare for free in Media Park. Call or check the website for the schedule.
9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City, California, 90232, USA
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Exceptional plays and musicals, occasionally featuring known TV and movie actors, are what this theater is mostly known for---that and it’s a historical landmark that’s been operating as a theater since 1925. The 650-seat playhouse also holds the title of official state theater of California. Tours of the venue are available by appointment.
39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, California, 91101, USA
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Downtown
Located inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this 288-seat theater serves as a space for innovative performance and visual art in addition to film screenings and literary events. The gallery features changing art installations. Tickets are reasonably priced and many are free.
631 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
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Tickets
Top seller for live local events.
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This theater is nothing fancy, but it is one of the most cherished in the city, and watching a movie here is a true L.A. experience. Recently acquired and updated by the American Cinemateque, this intimate three-auditorium theater has long been a part of Los Angeles’s rich movie-watching history. Two of the rooms cater to the latest first-run releases and often host Netflix screenings, while the third and biggest of the rooms is host to exclusive American Cinemateque events and showings. Book in advance online for special screenings and events.
1822 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90027, USA
Arts/Entertainment Details
Rate Includes: $12.50
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Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a cultural hub for a wide variety of artistic performances. A breath of fresh air, the complex is centered on the 1934 Italianate-style Beverly Hills Post Office. The interior is gorgeous, with eight Depression-era murals painted by California artist Charles Kassler depicting laborers and artisans. The building includes the 500-seat Bram Goldsmith Theater and the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater. Affordable parking is available underneath the space.
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, 90210, USA
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This open-air theater has put on classics like Shakespeare as well as new and relevant plays for five decades. You'll also find improv, performances of rare works, special events like Elizabethan and holiday fairs, classes, and Family Fundays in this bucolic space. The gardens have sitting areas for picnics before the show. You're encouraged to "Play and Stay" in the Topanga area by pairing your theater experience with a hike in the local hills or a trip to one of the area's unique restaurants beforehand; the company also hosts dinner (and a show) on certain nights.
Select weekends are great for families, with special shows performed with children in mind.
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, California, 90290, USA
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Koreatown
Built in 1931, this historical art deco landmark, named for its location at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, serves mainly as a space for music (it's a top destination for touring musicians), but other live entertainment can be seen here as well, including comedy and dance. The main floor is standing room only for most shows, but there are some seating areas available if desired.
3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90010, USA